The Birmingham age-herald. [volume], March 01, 1914, SPORTING SECTION, Page 17, Image 17

About The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950

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The Selection And Management Of Sitting Hens
. I -----
Hen-Hatched Chicks Are
Preferred by Many
Poultrymen
By PROF. F. It. STOM^BI lt\
Copyright. 1914. by Geo. A. McDevitt Co.
Many experienced growers of poultry
express a decided preference for chicks
hatched by the natural method. Even
where artificial Incubation must be
largely used, some hens are commonly
set in order to secure hen-hatched cock
erels for breeding purposes. The back
yard poult tyman usually adopts the nat
ural method exclusively.
The efficiency of sitting hens varies.
Much depends upon the hen herself,
an<l much upon the way she is treated.
Professor Stoneburn points out below
some factors which influence in large
degree the results secured from the
use of hens for incubating purposes.
HERE seems to exist a widespread
belief that hen-hatched chickens
are stronger, have greater vital
ity than those produced by artificial
methods of incubation. That this idea
is founded on fact is a matter which
is open to debate, but anyone who
wishes to play safe will do well to
• hatch a portion of his chicks in the
good old-fashioned way.
On large plants the incubator is an
absolute necessity; on small plants it
is a convenience. When properly con
structed and carefully operated it does
its work well. And the quality of the
chicks it. produces is, after all. deter
mined in a verj large degree by tiie
quality «»f eggs entrusted to it. A good
incubator-hatched chick is to be pre
iered to a poor hen-hatched chick, and
vice versa.
There is an art in the selection and
handling of sitting hens. Some hens
me so flighty and nervous, some are so
heavy and clumsy that they should not
he used for tiie work of rearing fam
ilies. others are quiet and dependable,
seldom break eggs or crush chicks, and
such are valuable to the poultryman
who uses the natural method of hatch
ing and brooding. In fact, some poul
tiymen retain hens of this character
Hum year to year, long after they have
passed the period of profitable egg pro
duction, asserting that they pay their
way by successfully rearing one or
more good broods of chicks each sea
son.
Hens of virtually all breeds will be
come broody and hatch chicks if given
an opportunity. In the nonsitting breeds,
as tiie Leghorns, Minorcas, etc., the
tendency towards brood ines.s has been
largely obscured, but a certain percent
age of the females of such breeds become
broody each season. Because of their
excitable, nervous temperament, such
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«
CH^Hpp
BLACK JAVA8
fHlIllliJIlllliilllllltilllll S l
The origin of tills breed is not known. Some writers aver that It Is a direct Importation from Java, though the
general belief is that it was originated in America. It Is a hardy general purpose fowl, excellent alike for tabic use
and egg production. The plumage is rich, greenish block throughout. Beak and shanks, black; eyes, black or dark
brown; comb, face, wattles and earlobes, red; skin, yellow. .Mules weigh 8 to D'e pounds; females, St* to 7%. The eggs
are good sized, with brown shells.
A Favorite Breed of Former Days
By EDWIN MEG \RGEE
Copyright, 1914. by Geo. A. McDcvitt Co.
A null century ago the Black Java
was an exceedingly popular breed, and
though its numbers have decreased un
til !t is rarely found in large flocks, it is
still the favorite of many poultry men.
When properly bred, the Java is hardy
and productive, possessing all the desir
able characteristics of typical breeds of
the American class. The females are
shelled eggs, and make excellent sitters
and mothers. Though the plumage and
shanks are black, the skin is a rich yel
low, so that well-dressed carcasses are
| acceptable in the best markets,
i Regarding the origin of tlie breed under
i discussion, there is much uncertainty.
[ Some authorities believe that it was im
ported direct from Java, being merely re
[ fined by American breeders. Possibly
this belief is due to a confusion of this
breed with Java Games, of which several
importations were made many years ago.
The weight of evidence seems to favor
the claim that the Black Java Is a
strictly American product and that it
was brought out in Missouri, whence it
was carried to New York stale sometime
••*•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••■
protor to I860. In its new home it was
soon recognized as being useful as well
as beautiful, and for a time it was very
widely bred. With the advent of the
Plymouth Rock the Java, began to lose
ground, and this has never l>een re
gained.
It is generally believed that the Ply
mouth Rock resulted from a mixture of
the blood of the American Dominique
and Black Java, though some well in
formed poultry men hold that the latter
was really a clean legged Black Cochin
and not the true Black Java. Possibly
this point will never be definitely settled.
However, it is true that when Barred
Rock hens arc crossed with White Wyan
dotte males some of the resulting pullet#
will he jet black and closely resemble in
both form and color typical Black Java
pullets. In fact, a crossbred pullet rf
this character was once shown as a Black
Java and was given a very high score by
a judge having an intimate knowledge
of the latter breed.
An English writer is authority for the
statement that black pullets of this kind
were used in making up the Black Or
pington, and that the latter •‘undoubt
edly borrowed its chief qualities from the
Java blood, which had been infused into
■••••••••••••••••••••a**••••••••••••••••••••••••••*•••
the Black Rock hens, from which the
Orpington was bred.”
It Is to be hoped that the poultry breed
ers of America will see to it that the
grand old breed is perpetuated in its
purity, as being representative of the
early type of the typical American gen
eral purpose fowl, as well as )>ecause of
its sterling utility value and remarkable
beauty.
Jtk body conformation the Black Java
is long and deep. Of course, tills insures
considerable weight, the males scaling 8
to pounds, and the females 8H to 7M*
pounds, according to age.
The plumage is a lustrous, greenish
black throughout, and should he free from
any trace of purple. Beak, shanks and
feet are black, the latter with yellow
bottoms. The skin is the rich yellow de
manded by our best markets. Face, ear
lobes, combs and wattles are red; eyes
black or dark brown.
Fashions change in poultry breeding, as
in other things. Just why this excellent
fowl is not more generally bred cannot
be explained. Possibly we will see it
taken up again arpi restored to its former
high place in popular favor. It richly
deserves better treatment than is now ac
corded it.
..
hens are nQt reliable sitters and are sel
dom found satisfactory for this work.
Asiatics Persistent Sitters
The Asiatics, especially tin* Brahmas
uml Cochins, have the sitting instinct
strongly developed and will attend
strictly to business if permitted to hatch
a clutch of eggs. But such breeds are
heavy and clumsy, and for this reason
are not, as a rule, regarded as being
ideal sitters. Of course, there are ex- :
ceptions, and selected individuals give i
excellent results. Langshan hens are
usually satisfactory, since with their
apparent large size and abundant plum
age they are actually heavier than Ply
mouth Rock hens.
Everything considered sitters of the
general-purpose breeds, the Rocks, |
VVyandottes, Rhode Island Reds and Orp
ingtons, are best. They are persistent,
quiet, usually gentle, large enough to
cover a goodly number of eggs, and sel- ,
dem cause loss by crushing eggs or j
chicks.
Broodinesp may develop at any season
of the year, but is most common during
the spring months, the natural breeding
time. As the desire to sit comes on, the ]
hens begin to “cluck” occasionally, and
presently they will remain on the nest at1
night instead of going to roost. It they!
are to be permitted to sit they should (
be left undisturbed for a short time, as
they may continue to lay for a few days.
In case it is desired to “break them up, ’
they should be immediately removed to
a strange pen or placed in a coop with
a slat bottom. Either plan will usually
cause them to change their minds ami ]
return to the business of egg production.
The nests for the sitters should be pre
pared in some suitable place to which
the rest of the flock is denied admit
tance. it is a mistake to set hens where
they may be disturbed in any manner.
The nests should be large enough to
afford perfect comfort. Deep boxes or
barrels are unsatisfactory, since the hens
will break many eggs when compelled to
jump down on to them. The best plan
is to have the front lowr, say, six to
eight inches high, so that the sitters may
carefully step in.
For nesting material nothing is better
than straw' or hay of moderate length.
Excelsior is sometimes used, but this
frequently becomes entangled about the
hen’s legs, and much xlamage results.
Sand or loam makes a good foundation.
This is placed in the nest to a depth of
two or three inches, slightly hollowed
out, and the straw or hay put on top.
In all cases the nest should be broad
and shallow, with just sufficient pitch to
cente rto prevent the eggs from rolling
away from the lien. Deep, narrow de
pressions in the nesting material lre
quently cause much breakage of eggs.
Where a large number of hens are to be
set, the nests may be arranged in a
large pen, either In single rows on the
floor or In tiers along the walls. Under
such conditions each nest should have a
door which may be opened and closed at
will, and each hen kept confined In her
own nest, excepting during the daily ex
ercising and feeding period. Without
some such protection there will usually
be much fighting, many c*ggs broken and
nests deserted.
Trap Nest Useful
The simple trap nest described in a
recent article in this series is a most
convenient arrangement for handling sit
ters in large numbers. The hens may be
re&sed at a given hour each day and
the traps set. As each hen returns to
a nest she locks herself in and the
others out. Consequently there will be
but little fighting for the possession of
favorite nests and no instances of two
hens occupying the same nest, with the
result that the contents of other nests
are permitted to become chilled.
The nesting pen should be provided with
dishes for food and water and a good
sized dusting place. The latter requires
an abundant supply or road dust, fine
sand or sifted loam.
After the sitters have occupied their
nests in the laying pen for two or three
nights, they may be removed to the spe
cial quarters provided for them. Any
which are so cross as to make handling
difficult, or so nervous and flighty as to
fly from their nests at the least disturb
ance, should be broken up.
1 he selected birds should be retrieved
to their nests at night. Handle them
gently at all times. Dukt each one
thoroughly with some good powdered
lice killer, repeat the treatment each
W'eek until the chicks appear. j
Do not give them the selected eggs
at first, but test them with the china nest ,
eggs or unhatched eggs from other
nests until they have accepted the
situation and shown a willingness to
attend to business.
Remove the hens from the nest the next
morning and feed them liberally. They
will usually return to the nests of their
own accord. Otherwise catch and replace
thorn. On the second morning take out
the test eggs while the hens are feeding
and put In those Which are to be incu
bated. If the latter are accepted there
should be no further trouble.
The number of eggs to be placed in
each nest is determined by the size of the
hen and the season of the year. Early
in the spring from 10 to 13 eggs may
be given each sitter of average size. As
the weather becomes warmer from J3 to
15 will prove satisfactory. Make each
fitter do her full duty, but do not risk
naving valuable eggs chilled because the
hen is not able to cover them.
The sitters should he fed daily. Some
times certain hens will refuse to leave
the nest each day, and such should be
removed. Otherwise, they may become
so thin that they will fail to bring off
a good hatch.
The ration should consist entirely of
whole grain, principally corn. A small
amount of green food may he given oc
casionally, but this should be limited in
quantity and may be omitted entirely.
Let each hen have all the grain she will
eat. Also plenty of grit ami clean, fresh
water. The dusting place should be kept
clean, as it will be freely used.
All nests should be examined each day
when the liens are off. ff eggs have been
broken or the nest otherwise soiled, it
should be cleaned up and new material
added If required. Hoiled eggs should be
wiped off. using warm water if necessary.
There is a big advantage in setting
three or more hens at one time. Their
eggs may be tested at the end or a week,
and the infertiles thrown out. The fertile
eggs may then be doubled up under cer
tain liens, and new lots of eggs given the
hens thus lot idle. It also frequently
happens that the chicks may be given to
a part of the sitters, and the^ others re
turned to the laying pens.
When the eggs begin to pip, usually on
the night of the nineteenth or the morn
ing of the twentieth day, the hens should
be given their final dusting and induced
to eat a full meal. Good sitters will
usually refuse to leave the riest after the
first chick appears. Sometimes it is nec
essary to feed them right on tiie nest, ,
though this is rarte.
A little carelessness on the part of the
attendant at hatching time may mean
much loss. The hens should be watched
with great care. Sometimes excitable in
dividuals will pick their chicks to death,
and the babies should be removed at fre- ,
quent intervals and placed in a padded ;
box or basket, which is kept in a warm :
spot. Other hens get nervous when they
hear the “p^ep, peep” of their chicks,
and in their efforts to quiet them trample
many. In such cases the above method
should be adopted.
Fortunately, most hens seem to know
exactly what to do and take the best
possible care of the brood. Such should
be left undisturbed until the hatch Is
completed. It might also be remarked
that these hens may safely he en
trusted the task of rearing their own
chicks and those hatched by the unre
liable individuals mentioned above.
There is an additional danger .of. loss I
at hatching time, which should be }
guarded against. As the chicks dry
off and gain strength, they frequently
come out from beneath the mother and
go off on little exploring expeditions, if
the sides of the nest are low the ad
venturous youngsters sometimes tumble
out and become chilled before being dis
covered. If the hen is unconfined she
will often go to the resc ue of the wander
ers, leaving the unhatched eggs. If, «»n
the other hand, she" is confined to the nest,
she may trample the remaining chicks and
eggs in her efforts to go to the assis
tance of the crying youngsters outside.
This clearly indicates the necessity of so
arranging the nests at hatching time {hat
rio chick can possibly get out.
And finally, fight the blood-sucking
mites constantly. These tiny, spider-like
pests multiply at an astonishing rute in
warm weather, and if they secure a lodg
ment in the nests of tin* sitters they will
cause no end of. trouble. Many times
they actually kid the liens.
Prevention is better than cure. See to
t that the nests and hens are free from
vermin. If mites are found; transfer
the hen and gggs to a new nest aJid'
■ lean up the old quarters. A thorough
spraying with kerosene oil, in which
napthalenc flakes have been dissolved,
will kill the trouble makers. Any good
liquid lice killer will accomplish the same
i result.
SCARCITY OF GOOD DANCERS
Hardest of Performers to Secure, Says
New York Theatre Manager
“Tills Uacing craze works badly for
us. No dancers, no crowds. Good danc
ers, packed houses. There are no dancers
to be had.” So mourned the manager of
a chain of theatres, according to the
New York Sun. “If 1 can get a good pair
of dancers who can do the society dances
attractively 1 can pack my houses aft-*
ernoon and evening, no matter how poor
tlie rest of the show. Trained animals,
acrobats, musical combinations, good
playlets, knockabout teams, fine pictures
fail to pull as would a good dancing act.
“I’m going crazy just now trying to
find dancers among amateurs with orig
inal steps and poses to satisfy the de
POULTRY_
FOR^^oo^S^T^RrowirT^egliofTrsl^reason^
able, write Mrs. John A. LaCotts, De
Witt, Ark. 2-26-tit
'TURK BRED” Buff Orpington eggs
for sale. We have a fine strain of hints
from which w’e can now furnish eggs
at $1.50 per 15. “Baby chicks,” 20 and
25 cents each. Ideal Poultry & Pro
duce Farm. R. 6, Bx. 18, North Bir
mingham, Ala. 2-22-2t-»U
FOR SALE—-Twenty-five Wyckoff strain
White Leghorn cockerels, 2 months old,
50 cents each; no less than two shipped.
Mrs. J. C. Moses, Route 2 East Lake,
Ala.
FOR SALE—Three pens of four dueled
one drake per pen, pure White and
Fawn Indian Runner ducks; layers (if
white eggs; raised on range; will sell
for $7.50 per pen and if not satisfac
tory return same and jet your money
bark. Address Mrs. D. E Webb, Cuba,
Ala.
I" J _ .—s
II MC bApusmun Lme-“l9lO
Tickets
Colonists
California
Arizona
New Mexico
VIA i
New Orleans and
SOUTHERN
PACIFIC
Sunset Route
Birmingham
California
$38.00 |
Also Comparatively Low Fares
to Points Intermediate
Tickets on Sale Daily
March 15 to April 15
Through Tourist Sleepers.
Liberal Stopovers Allowed at
[ Points En Route
Let Us Arrange for Your Tickets
and Reservations.
Call or Write for Information
and Literature.
O.* P. BARTLETT, G. A.
S. J. BROWN, T. P. A.
1001 1st Avenue j
Birmingham, Ala.
mami.s of patrons. And when 1 do find
a pair cabaret and restaurant man
agers or dancing Instructors hound them
and outbid me for their performances. j
"One would naturally think such con
ditions would hold discoveries here In
the city. It’s a mistake. ljet a couple
make a hit and a hundred towns all
over the country bid for their services
as dancing instructors. There's where
the motley lies for the y oungsters with a i
New York reputation, and they know it.
"They spurr stage and restaurant
alike and are lost to New York. I dis
covered and developed h» such couples
In the last six months. All proved losing
ventures, for they vanished a® soon as
their original engagement ended. They
are all teaching or cabaret ing in cities
somewhere between Maine and Texas
"(|ood tango stage dancers are stiff
about salaries. They aspire to the Sarah
Bernhardt and Kvn Tanguay class. I
don’t wonder at it. Clever ones get from j
$100 to $1000 for teaching small private i
classes in all the big cities and \\*U1 clean
up a class a week. Often they have
four or five such classes a day. Now*
where does a manager come In who wants
them for three 20-minute turns a day?
Ills offers are simply laughed at.
"Half the first class singing and dan
cing pairs on the stage a year ago lira
now tango teachers. That’s why t the
graceful, catehy song and dance that,
has always been a lilt is practically out
of the bill. Only the medium pairs who
*"■' —1 ..
•an’t dance or teach anything t«» anybody j
ire left.
"Last night I discovered a pair of i
lancers who* were dandies at a social
*luh affair, i was out on a still hunt,
rhe man is bookkeeper in a wholesale
louse, the girl clerks in u department
More. Both are young, good looking
Mid graceful. They had never danced
ogethcr before, hut 1 never saw tin* hesi
tation danced better than they did it.
riiey would have made a hit anywhere.
"Both told my agent they did not care j
o become professionals. Each had a love j
iffair that would prevent a suggested eu- j
fngement in combination for a run at the ;
•ity theatres. It 1 could get them to j
louble I’d give them n contract for a |
►■ear at salaries that would make what
:hey sire getting look like a counterfeit ]
ilekel In a peck measure of ?•’> gold pieces. '
Sew York would hav« a new nsution
tnd a real one.
"1 live in hope, but this doesn't seem
:o be my year for realisation.*’
- -- —-—■
Saving Precious Cargo
Prom the Chicago Inter Ocean.
Two Scotchmen had been having a good
;ime on the heather dooms of a leotlc Is
and. and were rowing hack non • across
he Orth, says Dean Mortimer D oley of
the University of Michigan, when lie boat I
nit .«;i \iti .\nit hi.i,im
he trust successful for irregulariti* >. I{
ong standing' abnormal ca-> s. • *t*l• • •
strong Chemical Do., 0 Mac Si . Lyons Mi
apsized. Dean t'ooicy told the story to
the Rngineers’ club a few days ago.
Migus had clung to tin- boat, and Jock,
who had clung to the bottle, was flound
ering bravely in the deep. Although a
!‘""i -wimmer. he struck out for the skiff,
holding the bottle in one hand. After a
few strokes he became exhausted.
•\\i gus. • he cried. "I ditma thenk T can
mak it.”
"Well. if \ •* cannu mak it, Jock, throw
it,” called back Angus.
The (»olden Rule
Prom the New York Times.
\ story is told of a hoy in one of th4
hicugo jschon|> who had been reproved
i>> his teacher for coming to school with
llrty hands. 'What would you say jf
I came to s'-kool with dirty hands like
il’.'it" tiit i»iiidie» asked. ■ i wouldn’t
■>a> nothin it all." was the* answer. “I'd
he too polite.”
The Queer Sex
Prom tiie Boston Transcript.
I always knew women were inconsi.*
lent, but I heard of one today that takes
the cup cake.”
“What did she do?"
"dims, d her husband out -f the house
.' it li a stove lifter and then cried because
e left her without kissing her good-by.”
i t ri;u\i.r. m.tir.tn is absolutely
liev. s -oim* of the most obstinate and
Double strength $1.00. Booklet free.
h
nmx'mnmMmmwi* | ii.TiMT—iqP
Sweet By-and-By
l _ Josarn P WiBSTfR
Chorus
g 1s |ijfefe«|^=£fi^=i
J ; In the sweet by-sad-by, We shali meet on that besu-ti - fui shore,
hmmMhrtrnpii' imu
1/ 1/ r U U I
(Found on page 485, "Heart Songs")
What word-magic can
paint your feelings,
when, as the yean
go by, some far-off
tune is whistled in
the street, that your
mother used to sing
to you; orsomc hand
organ ditty, softened
by distance, floats in
to your window with
a strain that you
often heard on her
li|>s; or some piano l;l
in the neighborhood | I
accompanies a sweet
voice with the music I
that once charmed
a w a v all your J
childish cares and
troubles.
What words, we say, i
can describe these
i under memories
.hat come floating
to you on the wings
of melody. Yet,
what would you not
give to be able to
summon at will these
dearest of life’s re
collections !
— . — ■ ■ -.— ■ ...... i —__I -
“Heart Songs”—a piano or an organ--a woman’s voice— be it that of wife—
or daughter—or sister—will give you, once again, all your mother’s
favorites. Every evening, after your day’s work, you may soothe
your wearied senses with the old songs she used to sing to you. Your
children will be the better for singing them and you the better for hear
ing t Try it! This paper puts it into your power, almost as a gift.
The Age-Herald
Through its Distributing Offer of !
HEART S
Is Now Presenting To Ail Its Readers
The Greatest Song Book 1
Ever Gotten Together, ALMOST FREE I
No other collection has 400 songs ||
WITH EVERY SONG A GEM |
The efforts of Four Years of song gathering from I
20,000 music lovers fill its 500 pages jfj
A few of the
Mothers* Songs
in
Heart Songs
Baby Bunting
Baby Mine
Cradle Song, Swedish
Emmet’s Cradle Song
Hush, My Babe
Jack and Gill
Lullaby from“Erminie’’
Lullaby from“Toyland”
Mary Had a Little Lamb
My Trundle Bed
Old Dog Tray
Hush Thee, My Baby
Sweet By and By
Sweet and Low
Sleep, Beloved, Sleep
Those Evening Bells
Copyright by World Syndicate Co., Inc.
Beautiful Art Binding, Gold Cover
Clean Cut Music Text, Fine Paper
Clear Type Opens Flat
Art Gallery of the World’s Greatest
Singers, with Biographical Sketch
under each portrait.
Elaborate Dictionary of Musical
Terms. _
SONG from Cover SONG ■
MUSIC! to Cover MUSIC! I
400 SONGS Coupon Elsewhere
Arranged in today’s paper
in Ten Classes explains terms
_ . _\ t
— ■ —- -
'' 4